The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1887-04-02
interesting Address on Farming by a

interesting Address on Farming by
Practical Agriculturist.-Mr. Heny G. Hal
lowell, a prominent citizen of Montgomery coun-
ty, delivered highly entertaining address on
darn Life" before the Falston and Wilma
Farmers Clubs, of Hartford county, at Fallston,
on Friday evening of last week. He traced re-
markable similarity between the carly condition
and advancement in agricultural prosperity OF
Montgomery and Hartford counties. According
to the last census the farms of Hartford county
were valued at SO 000, 900, and those of Montgom-
ery county at S7,50O,0O0. The value of fertili-
GERS bought in Hartford county in one year was
1914, 900, and in Montgomery 200. The
value of farm products in Hartford the same year
was Sl,S5O,OOO, and in Montgomery 81, 78S,OOO.
The number of improved acres in Hartford was
l67, 900; Montgomery, 10000 Dairy products:
Hartford milk, $4,000 gallons; Montgomery,
LOG, OOO Butter-Harford, 62S,000 lbs; Mont
eomery, $3.50 900 lbs. Potatoes Hartford, $4,000
bushels Montgomery, 1851 900. Wheat-Harford,
400, 900 bushels Montgomery, $4,000.
He advocated the Importance of farmers clubs
and other organizations and the value of farmers
keeping detailed accounts of their business. The
hardtmes of which farmers complain, he thought,
could be ameliorated by paying attention to the
little things on the farm. An immense number
of eggs, for instance, are imported into this coun
try every year from Holland and England, which
ought to be produced here.
Then, again, there is great waste of fertiliz-
ing material from barnyards. By means of els
terms this could be collected, pumped out and
spread over grass fields, wonderfully increasing
their productveness. The farm Implements, too,
should be cleaned, oiled and put away as soon as
they are done with.
He spoke of the debt which farmers of this gen.
Grafton owe to men like Rufin, Of Virginia, John
S. Skinner and the venerable Samuel Sands, OF
Maryland and said that every farmer should care
fully observe and note every new fact in his bust
ness, communicate it to his brother farmers and
through the county and agricultural press.
He described the method of conducting farmers
conventions and the Horticultural Society in
| Montgomery county. Entire families are MEN,
bers of the latter. Meetings are held at the houses
| of members in succession, each member carrying
| some choice vegetable, flower or fruit and these
are left with the hostess. Much valuable informa-
ton is gathered at these meetings.
1t is custom in Montgomery county and else
| where to beat tin pan when a swarm OF bees
escapes in the belief thatit will confuse them and
! cause them to alight. This custom in England i:
! called Changing" from word meaning "to hold
| It was done whenever q swarm escaped, and was
merely notice by the owner that the swarm wal
| his property.
| "Farm surroundings should be made tasteful
and attractive by removing unsightly objects
planting a few flowers, &c. Neatness and orde
have higher and better use than mere beauty
| They exercise an important part in sanitation"
The water supply on farms, continued Mr.. Hal
lowell, is also important. He mentioned instance
where several deaths had occurred from the pol
luton of the water in well from a cesspool eigh
ty yards distant. at is q mistake to suppos
that water becomes purified by freezing, and there
fore the ice ponds should be so arranged that tn
water can be entirely drawn from them in tn
summer In the fall they could be flooded wit
pure water, and wholesome ice will be the result.
Mr.. Hallowell spoke of the hardships endured b.
the farmers wife. The husband has opportuni
ties of mingling with his fellows, while the wife
too often, is dredging at home. The farmer shout
be more careful to see that his better half ma
some escape from labor by providing her with he'll
at home. SIT is sad commentary on the life Q
farmer that large percentage of the inmates o
our insane asylums are farmers wives and daugh
ters."